Friday, July 15, 2016

Time for an Eye Exam and a Heart Check-Up?

Have you ever gotten a little speck or an eyelash in your eye and it was so painful until you managed to get it removed. Even though we know we shouldn’t rub our eye to try to remove it, we can’t help ourselves and, oftentimes, we just makes the matter worse.

What about those conversations we have with someone and that conversation goes awry. It becomes negative and we are mutually complaining and becoming angry about something or someone….. and just as naturally as rubbing our eye when we get a speck in it, we chime in and the conversation just goes SOUTH. We don’t help to deter the conversation to a more positive place. We just add to the brewing animosity. We just helped make the matter worse.

Maybe it’s time for an “eye” exam and a “heart” check-up so that our eyes will be clearer and our hearts will be softer and more understanding. Rather than “seeing” the worst in someone and “feeling” animosity toward them, we can purpose to have our Father’s eyes and heart – that sees the best in others, regardless of whether or not they are exuding “their worst”. Rather than taking on an attitude of blame or misunderstanding, just maybe we’ll start approaching our brothers and sisters with kindness, love and better understanding of the struggles they may be going through. What if that cashier who was cranky or grumpy, just received a notice that her house was being foreclosed on? What if that car driver who was speeding past you, was rushing to get to a family member that had been in an accident? What if that young person who was so disrespectful, was abandoned by his family?

Matthew 7:5 says “Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.”

What do our eyes see? And what does our heart feel? Anxiety or peace? Envy or encouragement? Doubt or optimism? Anger or love? Wherever WE are at can be places where love is lived, where people sense God’s peace and acceptance. It may sound simplistic, but it is still true: our calm, peaceful, and loving presence can be infectious.

What if we had our Father’s eyes -- eyes that find the good in things, when good is not around. Eyes that find the source of help, when help just can't be found. Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain. Knowing what others are going through and feeling it the same. Just like our Father’s eyes. (Thank you, Amy Grant, for those words!)